You may have more options than you think
Most patients have more treatment options than they have been told
At London Cartilage Clinic we follow a structured clinical framework across four areas of treatment. Understanding which combination applies to you starts with your joint.
Reviewed byProfessor Paul Lee MBBch, FRCS (Tr & Orth), PhDCartilage and joint preservation expertiseIf knee osteoarthritis injections are part of your decision, start with the Arthrosamid overview and then compare Arthrosamid with PRP or hyaluronic acid. These pages explain the trade-offs without assuming an injection is suitable.
Four areas of treatment. One integrated approach.
Every treatment we offer falls within this framework. Many span more than one area. Your consultation determines the right combination for your situation.
Preserve
Manage symptoms and function with targeted injections and other non-surgical treatments where appropriate.
Repair
Fix specific damage. Surgical procedures that restore torn tissue, unstable ligaments, and structural problems.
Regenerate
Rebuild lost tissue. Advanced biological treatments that stimulate your body to grow new cartilage and repair itself.
Replace
When every alternative has been explored. Joint replacement as a last resort, not a first recommendation.
Select your joint to see your options
Each page shows every treatment we offer for that joint, organised by clinical approach.
Knee
15+ treatments
Ankle
8+ treatments
Shoulder
8+ treatments
Hip
10+ treatments
Wrist
6+ treatments
Hand
6+ treatments
Foot
6+ treatments
Elbow
6+ treatments
Not sure where to start? Speak to us directly.
Before replacement
what options have you explored?
Joint replacement is a proven, life-changing procedure. But it is permanent and irreversible. Once a joint is replaced, the biological options are no longer available.
Some patients are referred for replacement without having discussed whether a non-surgical or joint-preserving option is reasonable. Replacement may still be the most appropriate treatment when symptoms and structural damage warrant it.
- Biological injections that reduce inflammation and support cartilage at the cellular level.
- Regenerative treatments that stimulate your body to rebuild damaged tissue.
- Surgical repair and reconstruction techniques that restore joint structure without replacing it.
At London Cartilage Clinic, the decision is based on symptoms, examination, imaging and the likely benefit and burden of each option. A surgical assessment is recommended when replacement may offer the more predictable route.
A framework built around you
not around a procedure
Preserve, Repair, Regenerate, Replace is not a menu you pick from. It is a clinical framework that structures how we assess your joint and determine the best path forward.
Many treatments work across multiple areas. PRP supports both preservation and regeneration. Cartilage micrograft spans repair and regeneration. Some patients need a single targeted injection. Others benefit from a staged plan that combines two or three approaches over time.
- Your consultation determines the combination, not you guessing from a website.
- Treatment plans are built around your joint condition, your goals, and your lifestyle.
- The full pathway from first injection through to complex surgery is available under one roof, with one clinical team.
This integrated approach means your treatment can evolve as your condition changes, without losing continuity or starting from scratch with a new provider.
Led by Professor Paul Lee
surgeon, engineer, scientist
The Preserve, Repair, Regenerate, Replace framework exists because Professor Lee built it. His background is unusual in orthopaedics: he is both a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and a medical engineer, with a PhD in Medical Engineering and over 50 peer-reviewed publications in cartilage science and regenerative medicine.
This dual perspective shapes everything at London Cartilage Clinic. Surgical decisions are informed by tissue biology. Biological treatments are guided by structural engineering principles. The result is a clinic that can offer what most cannot: the full spectrum of joint treatment, from the simplest injection to the most advanced cartilage regeneration, all delivered by a team that understands both sides.
- Visiting Professor of Sports Medicine, University of Lincoln.
- International Cartilage Repair Society designated Teaching Centre of Excellence.
- Author of Musculoskeletal Regeneration Medicine: Interdisciplinary Approach.
Ready to explore your options?
Select your joint to see every treatment we offer, organised by clinical approach.
Knee
15+ treatments
Ankle
8+ treatments
Shoulder
8+ treatments
Hip
10+ treatments
Wrist
6+ treatments
Hand
6+ treatments
Foot
6+ treatments
Elbow
6+ treatments
Or speak to us directly
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which treatment is right for me?
You do not need to know before your consultation. The right treatment depends on the nature of your condition, the joint involved, your activity goals, and clinical factors that can only be assessed through examination and imaging. Your consultation with Professor Lee determines the best approach.
Do I need a referral to be seen at London Cartilage Clinic?
No. You can book a consultation directly without a GP or specialist referral. Many patients come to us for a second opinion after being told they need a joint replacement elsewhere.
What if I have been told I need a joint replacement?
How many of these treatments are available on the NHS?
Can I have a consultation without committing to treatment?
Absolutely. Many patients come to us simply to understand their options. The consultation is an assessment, not a commitment. You will leave with a clear picture of what is possible and can take as much time as you need to decide.
Still have more specific concerns?
Free Discovery Call